Washing machine provided with adjustable float valve



Dec. 2, 1952 F, H CQNDON 2,619,824

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE FLOAT VALVE rancn'fsHC nai/072,f@ f Dec. 2, 1952 F. H. coNDoN 2,619,824

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE FLOAT VALVE Filed Sept. 18,1947 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 I: fnvmf" l F'Vcznc'zlsff Condon,

Patented Dec. 2, 1952 WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH ADJUSTABLE FLOATVALVE Francis H. Condon, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Borg-WarnerCorporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationSeptember 18, 1947, Serial No. 774,832

8 Claims.

This invention has to do with a liquid level control for automaticwashing machines and the like. More speciiically, the invention isdirected to the regulation of the amount of liquid to be used at anytime in an automatic or semi-automatic cycle washer, and to preselectivemeans securing said regulation in conjunction with the automaticcontrols for the washer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means forpreselecting the amount of liquid to be valved to the washing machine.In this connection it is an object to provide a means which isespecially adaptable for use with a socalled automatic cycle washingmachine wherein all or a part of the washing operation may be performedby automatic sequential controls.

Heretofore, in the performance of washing actions, even when there hasbeen automatic sequential control, the only method of varying the liquidlevel has been a haphazard manual operation in which the mechanismcontrolling the inflow of water is moved manually to an advancedposition so that less liquid is admitted to the tub. Such a method ofoperation has to be repeated each time the tub is charged, that is, forthe soaking action, for the washing action, and for the various rinses.As a result, the automatic features of the machine are lost. Further, itis more or less guess work as to how much liquid will be admitted to thetub under such manual operation.

Also, in the past, with washing machines of the automatic type, it hasbeen the practice to determine a preferential water level, so that themachine in its soaking, washing and rinsing operations automaticallyvalves the water to secure the same water level.

Many homes have a limited supply of water, and this is particularly truein the case of hot water. As a result, previous automatic washers havenot met with full favor and especially the larger washers using aconsiderable amount of water.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangementwhereby the amount of liquid for automatic cycle or semi-automatic cyclewashing machines may be preselected prior to operation of the machine.

In many instances, it is desirable to be able to preselect a definitewater level. For example, certain types of garments do not require asmuch water as other types. Where the user has any reason to conserve hotwater, for example, or in the interest of economy, or where the amountof clothes is less than the intended capacity of the 2 machine,frequently, it would be an advantage to be able to preselect a smalleramount of water than that which would be used under other conditions. Itis an object of the present invention to provide a device foraccomplishing this purpose.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anarrangement in which the user may vary the amount of water to beadmitted for any washing operation, and may preselect the amount desiredby a change in setting after the device is in operation. For example,perhaps in the soaking stage, a considerable amount of water is desiredand it is an object of this invention to enable the operator to obtainthe amount by setting an indicator for the maximum amount of water. Incertain types of washes, the soaking may remove the larger portion ofthe soil from the items being washed, and in such event the user maydesire less water for the actual wash cycle wherein the most hot wateris used and wherein the clothes are usually sudsed and particularlysince the clothes are already in the damp or wet stage. In such event,after the tub has been filled, for the soak stage, the operator bymoving the indicator to a definite position, for example, the mediumposition or the low position, can preselect the amount of water admittedfor the later wash operations at that position.

It is an object, broadly, of this invention to define means determiningthe quantity of water to be admitted to the tub. In this connection,there is disclosed a means determining the amount of water on a basis ofthe water level in the tub.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide anarrangement wherein a washing machine tub is provided with a float tankin communication therewith, said iioat tank being adapted to reflect thewater level in the tub and switch means actuated by a float in the floattank adapted to energize and deenergize, as the case may be, meanssetting the liquid admitting valve for opening and closing by theautomatic sequential controls for the machine. The switch means isarranged for a variable setting, which variable setting may bepredetermined by an indicator on the machine.

Further, it is an object to provide an arrangement which is relativelyinexpensive and which may be manufactured under modern conditions andwith modern production machinery, -the structure being rugged andpractically foolproof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement whichovercomes objectionable features heretofore present in automaticwashers, and particularly an object to overcome the objectionablefeatures above referred to.

Other objects, advantages and uses of the invention will be apparentfrom a further description of the invention herein, and from thedrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of washingmachine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear yelevational view disclosing the present invention, andshowing` the arrangement of the mixing valve, source' of fluid or liquidfor the machine, and the device of the present invention attached to themachine. Fig. 2 is without the cabinet illustrated in Fig. l';

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged elevational view showing details ofconstruction of a device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged View partially in section, taken onthe line 1 -e of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3 looking inthe direction ofthe arrows; and

Fig. 6 isV a top plan view taken onV the line 3 6 of Fig. 3' looking inthe" direction' of the arrows.

Referring further in detail to the construction shown in the drawings,and referring rst. to the arrangement of Fig. 1,'there is illustrated awashing machine of the' type generally referred to-as the horizontalVaxlsautomatic cycle washer. Fig. V1 discloses the cabinet or wrapper23; in which is located a washing machine tub. The cabinet has thecontrol knob 22, which is used in settingthe control mechanism of themachine for itsl various operations, herein referred to asautomaticsequence controls. The details off the mechanism operated by saidcontrol knob. are not necessary torbe disclosed here, as they' are wellknown in the art. v

A water temperature.switchcontrol 24' enables the operator of themachine to preselect the temperature of' thel waterfor the washingoperations. Here" again' it is not necessary to describe this vmechanismas it also is well known. A dial plate' 26 is provided, the dial platenormally having markings thereon (not shown)` indicating the settings ofthe control knob 22 and the switchl control 2li; There is provided onsaid washing machine means indicating the water level, which means hereis shown as the water level selector switch 28, andthe dial. plate 33.The dial plate 33 as shown in Fig. 1 pref'- erably has means indicatingthe amount of liquid to be admitted, the. means here being. shown astheV letters L,' M and H'J Respectively, the letters are intended torepresent Low,. Medium and High settings. The washing machine ispreferably providedwith an' access door 32- for charging andv removingclothes or items tobe-washed (herein usually referred to as clothes):fromV the machine.

Referring next to'Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown atub 232 of a washingmachine, which tub 232 ordinarily would be mounted in a cabinet 28, ofthe type shown in Fig. 1. As here disclosed, the tub 232 is ofthe typeused in a horizontal axis washer, and is mounted on abase 233. Attachedvto the base 233 adjacent the back of the tuby 232 isv a verticallyelongated float tank 234, said oat tank beingV attached by' any '4convenient means, such, for example, as the bracket 235.

The tank 23S has a liquid connection to the bottom of the tub 232. Inthis illustration a generally horizontally disposed tube 238 extendsfrom the bottom of the tank 234 to the bottom of thetub 232. By thismeans, the liquid level in the tub will be the same as the liquid levelin the tank.

The float tank 234 contains the iioat 2&3, which ioat 260 rises anddescends with respect to the` tank in accordance with the liquid levelin theV iloat tank 234. The oat 243 carries the upwardlyextending rod 242, which extends upward'v throughA a suitable aperture 223 in a switchstopV 242' shown in Fig. 5. The switch stop 244 is vertically adjustablebeing carried by a downwardly depending hollow arm 239 as shown in Figs.3 and 5 in the lower portion of which the upper end of push rod 222 isreceived. The arm 239` is. pivotally supported at its upper end ontherright end of crank arm 25d, the.

left end of which is xedtotherear end of a control shaft 256- as showninFig. 4. Otherwise stated, the upwardly extending rod 242 cooperateswiththe hollow arm Z39-in telescoping relationship. The shaft 256- hasaiiixed to its opposite end (not shown) the Water level indicator orvselector knobor handle 28. The shaft 256 isrotatably'journaled to thebracket 238. It will thus be obviousA that rotation of the shaft 256A byrotationof the knob or handle 28 will movethe outer end of the armA 2534up and down, thereby raising andl lowering the.

switch stopv 2,44. The bracket 238 may be L- shaped andv have anoutwardly extending arm 2li, the-outer end of .which is' suitablyapertured to form a guide for maintaining the vertical alignment ofdownwardly depending arm 239.

Theiioat tank is provided at its upper edge with a'xed lower switch stop233 in the manner shown, particularly in Figs. 2 andy 3.

The upwardly extending rod- 242l carried by the iioat 2101!),v hasYmounted thereon a toggle switch 25B with an actuating arm 248 and.electrical connections 212 and 273; forming a part of the circuit forcontrolling solenoid actuated valve 2I5. It will thus be seen thatmovement of the rod 242 upward. will cause the arm 248 of the switch 25to engage the stop 241i! when the arm reaches the upper limit. This willpivot the arm .2!18v downwardly and. tripY the switch, de-energizing'solenods hereinafter described, and cutting 01T the iiow of water.Conversely,

when the switch and rod 2'4'4 move downward as the water is. drawn fromthe tub. the arm 248 contacts the loweriswitch stop 2146 and throws theswitch,` thus enablingA the circuit to be energized by the. sequential.controls whereby the water or other fluid is allowed to flow into thetub 232, in the. manner hereinafter described. Referring speciiically'toFig. 2, there is shown a source of hot water 2H and a source for coldwater 2l3, here. shown as. conduits or pipes, to the' mixing. valve.2l5. The mixing valve 2|5 is provided with solenoidsv 2|.'lv in theconstruction shown, whichv solenoids` are actuated by the sequenceswitch 22 and under control of the water temperature switch 24. It willbe noted that the toggle switch 250 is in one line of the circuitl asrepresented by the numbers 213 and 212', so that when the. switch is. inthe on position, the. solenods maybe energized to. open the valve andwhen in the offI position the water inlets' remain. closed.

For the purpose of enabling the operator to select the proper waterlevel, there is provided a plate 262 (see Figs. 3 and 4), which ismounted upon and rotates with the shaft 255, the plate 2B2 being locatedadjacent the right side oi bracket 228, as viewed in Fig. 4. A springactuated detent 264 is carried by the bracket 258 and the plate 262 hasthree depressions to receive the detent at its various positions. Thearrangement shown here provides for three dierent water levels, althoughobviously others could be supplied. It is desirable that the arrangementis such as to prevent movement of the water level control switch pastits limits in either direction and for this purpose I have provided thestops 258 and 253 as shown in Fig. 3, which are adapted to engage theside edges of plate 252 to limit the rotation of shaft 256.

A small water conduit 274 is provided, as shown in Fig. 2, which extendsat its delivery end from the water inlet, here shown as the mixing valve215, to a position above the tank 234 and the delivery end is spacedtherefrom a sufficient distance so that if suds form in the tank 235,

there is little or no danger of them being drawn into the water systemfor the house. This feature is important in that the various healthregulations require a vacuum breaker or other means to prevent backiiowwhich might contaminate the water system.

A further feature of this invention is that the size of the pipe 27d isselected so that a proportionate amount of water to that iiowing intothe tub proper, iiows direct from the inlet to the tank. In this way,the tank will be lled at approximately the same speed as the tub andthere is little or no tendency of soiled water from the tub to flow intothe tank. It is essential, however, that the water not flow into thetank substantially faster than it iiows into the tub, inasmuch as thefloat might be raised and cut od the flow or water to the tub and tankbefore the full amount desired has been obtained.

In the operation, the device works substantially as follows:

Assuming that the tub is empty and the float 2id is at its bottomposition, the switch 259 is in the on position. When the sequence ofoperations is started by the movement of the control switch 22, waterwill enter through the conduits 2H and 213 into the mixing valve El, andbe discharged to the tub 232 through the nozzle 218. At the same time,water will ilow into the tank 23d from the pipe 27d, (usually raisingthe level in tank 234 slightly faster than in tub 232). If there is anyvariation in rate of iilling, it will be equalized through the tube 238,when the solenoids shut off the water. The water levels will balance andwater will flow from tank 234 to tub 232 thereby keeping suds, etc., outor the tank 234. As the float rises, the toggle switch 25B is carriedupward until its arm 248 contacts the stop 244. This stop, as shown inFig. 3, is in its medium` position. It can be lowered by turning thewater selector knob 28 to its L position. Once set, however, after thearm 2&8 has thrown the switch, the water level in the tub cannotnormally be varied until after the water has been drained out of thetub.

However, the position of the stop 244 may be changed between operations,or may be left in a selected position for al1 oi the operations. It willthus be seen that by this means there is provided an arrangement wherebythe operator can preselect the amount of water for any operation orseries of operations caused by the sequential control for the machine.In actual practice, the user will determine how much water is desired,will set the water selector accordingly, and thus not need to give anyfurther consideration to the amount of water in the machine as it willbe controlled automatically.

While I have described my invention in connection with one specificembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way ofillustration and not by way of limitation and the scope of my inventionis dened solely by the appended claims which should be construed asbroadly as the prior art will permit.

What is claimed is:

l. A iiuid level selector control for a liquid receptacle such as awashing machine comprising a tank adjacent said receptacle, a float insaid tank, means for establishing a liquid level in said tanksubstantially representative of the liquid level in said receptacle, anda solenoid operated valve for controlling admission oi iluid t0 saidreceptacle, comprising means for establishing the liquid level in saidreceptacle and including a switch, means supporting said switch on saidfloat so that said switch rises or descends in accordance with the fluidlevel in said tank, a first switch actuating means engageable by saidswitch in an upper position of said float to open said switch, a secondswitch actuating means engageable by said switch in a lower position ofsaid float to close said switch, and means controllable from a pointremote from said switch actuating means and including means for slidablyreceiving said switch supporting means and for adjusting the position ofsaid iirst switch actuating means.

2. A fiuid level selector control for a liquid receptacle such as awashing machine comprising a tank located adjacent said receptacle,means for establishing a fluid level in said tank substantiallyrepresentative of the fluid level in said receptacle, a float disposedin said tank and adapted to move vertically correspondingly to theliquid level in said tank, a rod mounted on said iloat and movabletherewith, a switch supported on said rod and movable therewith, anoperating lever for said switch and carried by said switch and extendinggenerally at right angles to the path of movement of said switch, a rst,fixed operating lug engageable by said lever in a lower position of saidoat for shifting said switch lever to a first position, and a secondadjustably mounted operating lug engageable by said lever in an upperposition of said oat to shift said switch lever to a second position andmeans including means for receiving said rod and means disposed remotefrom said receptacle for positioning said rod receiving means thusadjustably positioning said adjustable mounted operating lug.

3. A uid level selector control for a liquid receptacle such as awashing machine comprising a tank located adjacent said receptacle,means for establishing a fluid level in said tank substantiallyrepresentative of the uid level in said receptacle, a float disposed insaid tank and adapted to move vertically correspondingly to the liquidlevel in said tank, a rod mounted on said float and movable therewith, aswitch supported on said rod and movable therewith, an operating leverfor said switch and carried by said switch and extending generally atright angles to the path of rmovement orV saidA switch, a rst, fixedoperatinglugengageableby saidlever in a lower position of said float forshifting said switch lever to a first position, a second adjustablymounted operating lug engageable by said lever in an upper position ofsaid float to shift said switch lever to a second position, means forsupporting said second operating lug comprising a tube in the lowerY endof which the supporting rod for said switch is receivable, a pivotallymounted brackety supporting said tube, and means for pivoting saidbracket to raise or lower said tubeand the lug supported thereby withrespect to the iixed lug.

4. A iuid level selector control for aliquid receptacle such as awashing machine comprising a tank located adjacent said receptacle,means for establishing a fluid level in said tanksubstantiallyrepresentative of the fluid level in said receptacle, aiicat disposed in said tank and adapted tomove verticallycorrespondingly to the liquid level in said tank, a rod mounted on saidfloat and movable therewith, a switch supported on said rod and movabletherewith, an operating lever for saidY switch and. carried by saidswitch and extending generally atv right angles to the pathA of movementof said switch, a iirst, 'lixed operating lug engageable by said leverin a lower position of said, iioat for shiftingsaid switch to a firstposition, a second adjustably mounted operating lug engageable by saidlever in an upper positionA of said oat to shift said switch to asecondposition, means for supporting said second lug comprising a verticallyadjustable tube in the lower end of which the axially movable rod isreceivable and to the lower end of which the second lug is aflixed, andcrank arm defining means affixed to said tube for moving said tube withrespect to said xed lug.

5. In -a washing machine of the class described having automaticallyoperable sequential controls `and liquid` charging means for ycharging atub in theY machine with liquid and for performing at least part of thewashing action, a iioat tank mounted adjacent the tub, a iioat in saidtank, 'and conduit means establishing a liquid level in the tanksubstantially the same as that of the liquid level in the tub so thatthe position of the lioat is representative of the liquid level in thetub, the improvements in variable preselecting means for controlling theamount of liquid admitted to the tub which comprises a rod mounted onsaid float and `responsive thereto, electrical switch means on said rodin circuit with the liquid charging means for said machine,

means including means engageable by said electrical switch means so thatsaid switch means can eiiect control of the liquid charging means inresponse to movement of said rod, and means including rod receivingmeans controllable from a point remote from said float tank for varyingthe =position of one of said means which are engageable -by saidelectrical switch means.

6. A fluid level selector control for a liquid receptacle comprising atank located adjacent said receptacle, means for establishing a fluidlevel in said tank substantially representative of the fluid level insaid receptacle, :a float disposed in said tank and adaptedto Vmovevertically correspondingto the fluid level inV said4 tank, and meansincluding telescoping, means comprising an element attached to saidfloat and movable in response thereto, and a second element forreceiving said first element in telescoping relation, the position ofthe latter element with respect to said first element and said tankbeing variable, any position of which will be determinative of the uidlevel in said receptacle as represented by the uid level in said tank.

7. A fluidY level selector control for a liquid receptacle comprising atank located adjacent said receptacle, means for establishing a fluidlevel substantially representative of the uid level in saidreceptacle, afloat disposed in saidV tank and adapted to move verticallycorresponding to the uid level in said tank, meansl includingtelescoping means comprising an, element attached to said iioat andmovable in response thereto and a second element for receiving saidfirst element in telescoping relation, the position of the latterelement with respect to said first element and said tankv beingvariable, .any position of which will be determinative of the iiuidlevel in said receptacle as represented by the fluid level in sai-dtank,and mechanical means for varying the positionV of thesecondelement.

8. A fiuid level selector control yfor a liquid receptacle comprising latank located adjacent said receptacle, means for establishing a fluidlevel in saidY tank substantially representative of the fluid level insaid receptacle, a float disposed in said tank and adapted to movevertically corresponding to the uid -level in said tank, means includingtelescoping means comprising one element attached to said ii-oat andmovable therewith and a second element for receiving said rst element intelescoping relationship, switch means on said i'irst element, switchactuating means on said tank and said second element,V the position ofthe second element and said switch actuating means being determinativeof the iiuid level in said receptacle as represented by the fluid levelin said tank and means for positioning said sec- -ond element and saidswitch actuating means thereon with respect toY said irst element.

FRANCIS I-I. CONDO'N.

REFERENCES errno The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,179,537 Makel Apr. 18, 19161,223,584 Heubsch Apr. 24, 1917 1,488,237 Durdin Mar. 25, 1924 1,639,368Carroll Aug. 16, 1927 1,941,815 Ringstrom Jan. 2, 1934 1,999,439 BraunApr. 30, 1935 2,113,490 Newbery Apr. 15, 1938 2,346,259 Hutchings Apr.11, 1944 2,477,415 Oliver July 26, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 502,345 Germany July 1-0, 1930

